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P-12 Benchmarking Program

NYSERDA’s Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 (P-12) Schools Initiative - Benchmarking Program is available to provide up to three years of free energy benchmarking services to eligible schools. Benchmarking is a mechanism to measure, track and assess an individual building’s utility, greenhouse gas, cost and energy metrics over time or comparatively to other similar buildings. The Benchmarking Program will help schools better understand their energy usage and identify opportunities that will lower operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating healthier and more productive learning environments in schools across New York State.

Benefits

Establishing a baseline of a building’s energy use may help a school:

Identify energy inefficiencies

Maximize energy performance

Support financial planning and budgeting efforts

Inform energy conservation policy and program development

Increase stakeholder awareness about energy consumption impacts

Gain recognition for environmental efforts

Services Provided at No Cost

There is no cost to participate in the Benchmarking Program. Schools will receive free benchmarking assistance from a NYSERDA consultant who will track the buildings energy performance. In addition, schools will have access to a free benchmarking software tool.

How It Works

Schools’ utility data will be entered in the benchmarking tool and analyzed every six months to determine trends in energy usage, water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and utility costs. Schools will receive benchmarking reports outlining these trends through metrics, visuals, and graphics to help them understand how their building performs month over month. An optional Operational Assessment is available for schools interested in receiving building-specific energy and cost-saving recommendations.

Schools will have access to the benchmarking tool throughout their participation in the Benchmarking Program. The tool establishes benchmarking scores for each school, which allows schools to compare their energy performance against other participating schools. In addition, the tool is integrated with ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® and calculates an ENERGY STAR® score for each participating school.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for services through this Benchmarking Program, buildings must be publicly or privately-owned P-12 education buildings with all space solely occupied by P-12 students and staff. School-owned auxiliary buildings such as bus garages, maintenance buildings, and field houses are eligible for services when applying with at least one school education building. Buildings occupied by students younger than pre-kindergarten level are ineligible for services. Buildings must be located in New York State and pay into the System Benefits Charge (SBC) on their electric utility bill.

Contact

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.